Over Two Decades Of Holding Insurance Companies Accountable

Terrence J. Coleman

TerrenceJ.Coleman

TERRY COLEMAN has been a partner with Pillsbury & Coleman, LLP (formerly, Pillsbury & Levinson), since 1999, specializing in the representation of policyholders in insurance bad faith and insurance coverage matters. Past clients include individuals as well as small businesses and large corporations. In 2002, Mr. Coleman tried the disability bad faith case of Randall Chapman, M.D. v. UnumProvident Corp., obtaining a $31.7 million jury verdict for a disabled eye surgeon. Mr. Coleman also led the HealthNet litigation in which he obtained injunctions prohibiting California’s largest HMO from canceling health insurance coverage to hundreds of families insured under plans issued to the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association, the Organization of Women Architects and the Bay Area Chamber. Mr. Coleman is a frequent lecturer and author on insurance-related topics and serves on many boards. He currently serves as president of the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association and is a past president of the St. Thomas More Society of San Francisco. He is a Fellow of the American College of Coverage and Extracontractual Counsel. In 2003, Mr. Coleman also served as chair of the Insurance Section of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (now AAJ). That same year, Mr. Coleman was a finalist for “Trial Lawyer of the Year” by the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association. Mr. Coleman is “AV” rated by the prestigious Martindale-Hubbell organization and was named a Northern California “Super Lawyer” in 2006 through 2014.

Background

Born in San Francisco, California, on April 25, 1968.

Raised in Stockton, California; attended Cleveland Elementary, St. Luke’s Elementary, and St. Mary’s High School

Wife, Lucille; Children, Garrett, Bridget and Brendon

Major Cases

Co-tried Chapman v. UnumProvident Corp., a disability bad faith case, resulting in a $31.7 million jury verdict, including $30 million in punitive damages. (Marin County Superior Court, January 2003)

Lead trial counsel in Patrick v. UNUM Life Insurance Company, an ERISA disability case, resulting in a plaintiff’s verdict of nearly $1.5 million, including an award of attorneys’ fees of nearly $1.3 million. (San Mateo County Superior Court, October 1999.)

Lead trial counsel in Westover v. Oregon Mutual Insurance Company, resulting in a unanimous jury verdict of over $724,000 on a homeowner’s claim arising from the Oakland Hills Firestorm, affirmed on appeal. (Alameda County Superior Court, March 1997.)

Successfully obtained a summary judgment order requiring Lloyd's of London to pay an underlying $10 million judgment rendered against its insured due to its wrongful withdrawal of its defense. (Alameda County Superior Court, 2000.)

Successfully obtained summary judgment order requiring Clarendon Insurance Company to pay an underlying $1.5 million judgment rendered against its insured due to its failure to defend. (Contra Costa County Superior Court, 2007.)

Visit Our Video Center

Contact Us

Email AddressPlease enter a valid Email address or Phone number to contact you.

PhonePlease enter a valid Email address or Phone number to contact you.

Brief description of your legal issue

Please verify that you have read the disclaimer.I have read the
disclaimer.disclaimer.

The use of the Internet or this form for communication with the firm or any individual member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form.

American Board of Trial Advocates A prestigious national association of experienced trial lawyers and judges. Membership is by exclusive invitation only. All members shall have completed 10 civil jury trials to jury verdict or hung jury as lead counsel.

Best Lawyers The oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession. A listing in Best Lawyers is widely regarded by both clients and legal professionals as a significant honor, conferred on a lawyer by his or her peers.

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings An objective peer review rating indicator of a lawyer's high ethical standards and professional ability, generated from evaluations of lawyers by other members of the bar and the judiciary. Pillsbury & Coleman founding partner Philip L. Pillsbury Jr. is rated “AV Preeminent.”

Super Lawyers A peer-review rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.

Best Lawyers Best Law Firms U.S. News 2017

American Association for Justice (AAJ) Founded in 1946, AAJ is the world’s largest trial bar and supports the work of attorneys to ensure that injured plaintiffs can obtain justice.

American College of Coverage and Extracontractual Counsel Composed of preeminent insurance coverage counsel in the United States and Canada, representing the interests of both insurers and policyholders. The minimum membership requirement is the practice of insurance law for at least fifteen consecutive years.

Association of Business Trial Lawyers Founded in 1972, ABTL is dedicated to connecting litigators and judges to address issues important to trial lawyers.

Consumer Attorneys of California The only California-wide unified trial bar for plaintiffs lawyers who represent consumers harmed by powerful foes such as insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, automobile manufacturers and banks.

San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association For over 60 years, this prestigious bar association has educated and trained trial lawyers and supported and passed critical legislation to protect and advance individuals’ rights.

United Policyholders A non-profit group dedicated to providing trustworthy and useful information and an effective voice for insurance consumers in all 50 states.